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Monday, November 23, 2015

The Firefighter’s Promise by Kate James

We'll be highlighting 13 FREE short stories by beloved Harlequin Heartwarming authors that will be available from Harlequin during November. All Heartwarming titles are 30% OFF during November from Harlequin as well! Use code HEART1115.

TODAY'S FREE SHORT STORY:

The Firefighter's Promise by Kate James

An accidental love . . .

When Jacqueline (Jax) Warren is in a serious motorcycle accident, firefighter Ryan Hudson is the first to arrive at the scene. Ryan takes a special interest in Jax particularly when he discovers that her stepmother—Jax’s only known contact—shows little interest in her wellbeing. But Jax learned early in life that she can’t rely on other people and it’s her six-year-old half-brother, Kyle, who’s the only person she cares about.

In the face of Ryan’s persistence and devotion, Jax begins to open up to him. Convincing her to spend Thanksgiving with him and his family—to prove to her that not all families are like the one she’d known—he presents her with a gift she never imagined, and she finally lets him into her life . . . and into her heart.

“She’s
breathing. She’s alive.” Jax heard the distressed whisper from a
great distance.

“Keep
her still. Don’t let her move,” another insistent voice floated
to her through the gloom. Then all sound and thought faded out.

Time
passed but she had no idea how she knew it. The next thing she heard
was an anguished scream. It soared around her and ebbed. When it came
again, it amazed her that it tore out of her since she could barely
breathe. Her right side—head, shoulder, ribs and ankle—felt as if
a vise was clamped to her and was ruthlessly tightening, crushing her
bones . . .

The
pain was excruciating.

She
had to roll over. She had
to, or she’d die.

She
attempted to move despite the crescendo of pain, but couldn’t.
Something was preventing her. She tried again.

Hands.
Someone was holding her down.

“She’s
trying to turn over.” The whispers were back. “What should I do?”

“Hold
her still. We don’t know the extent of her injuries.”

Breathing
was nearly impossible. Every inhalation was like a knife stabbing
into her chest. She was hovering in a world filled with pain. She
had
to get off her right side or she’d be lost in it. She dug the heel
of her boot into the soft ground. With another scream, she forced
herself over.

“Oh,
my God! I couldn’t keep . . .” was the last thing Jax heard
before she was enveloped by a soothing blanket of darkness.

“Can
you hear me?” A different voice. Nearer than the others. Deeper. It
was luring her back into the world of pain. She wanted to block out
the voice and retreat to her cocoon of darkness. The voice was
persistent. Every word seemed to be closer, more pronounced. There
was something compelling about this voice, and she fought free of the
darkness that beckoned her.

“The
. . . pain . . .” she managed before she gasped for air.

“We’re
giving you something for the pain,” he said. A hand took hold of
her arm, rotated it gently. The contact was reassuring and gentle.
“This’ll help,” he added.

Jax
forced her eyelids open. She needed to put a face to the voice.

Amidst
the scorching bursts of light, she saw him. Dark hair. Strong
features. Blue eyes. There was a prick on her forearm and an odd
taste in her mouth.

She
trusted those eyes and believed the voice that assured her he’d
take care of her before everything went black.

Kate spent much of her childhood abroad before attending university in Canada. She built a successful business career, but her passion has always been literature. As a result Kate turned her energy to her love of the written word. Kate's goal is to entertain her readers with engaging stories featuring strong, likable characters. Kate has been honored with numerous awards for her writing. She and her husband, Ken, enjoy traveling and the outdoors with their beloved Labrador Retrievers.

Tour GiveawayGrand Prize: Harlequin Heartwarming Year Subscription (Provided by Harlequin and to US/CAN only)$40 VISA card (US only)13-Book Heartwarming Prize Pack:The Best Laid Plans, Back to McGuffy's, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Small Town Secrets, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, When The Right One Comes Along, Wedding of His Dreams, After The Silence, and A Memory Away (print copies if US, ebooks if international)9-Book Prize Pack:The Best Laid Plans, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, When The Right One Comes Along, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, and After The Silence (print copies if US, ebooks if international)